LAUREL, MD - After winning 30 national championships in just four decades, Old Dominion University has acquired a passionate fan base with a nearly insatiable desire for news related to the Monarchs and the Lady Monarchs. Now, in an effort both to cater to fans and embrace technology, ODU has teamed with Verizon Wireless to launch "Coach's Corner," allowing fans to receive up-to-the-minute news directly from the Monarchs via text messaging on their Verizon Wireless phones.

Coach's Corner provides the latest team news, including score updates, breaking news, post-game quotes and notes, interactive games, and promotions specifically designed for ODU fans. Initially, the program features ODU men's and women's basketball information, with other sports to be added soon.

"Coach's Corner is a unique product for the college market," said Jim Jarrett, athletic director, ODU. "In addition to providing us with another avenue to get information out to our fans and our alumni base of 88,000, it puts us in front of students and gives us a vehicle to attract a younger demographic."

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ODU Launches Verizon Wireless' Coaches Corner, 2

"ODU has one of the most successful and distinguished sports programs around," said Patrick Devlin, Verizon Wireless regional president for Washington/Baltimore/Virginia. "Coach's Corner provides a perfect opportunity to communicate with alumni and fans, who always want information about the teams. For them, this service will deliver all the news they want in a quick and efficient manner."
Coach's Corner alerts are delivered to phones after users set-up the alert at either www.odusports.com or through Verizon Wireless' www.vtext.com simple-to-use text messaging website. To send alerts, ODU uses the Internet and a web-based authoring tool to enter up to 160 characters per alert of breaking news about the team.
Each alert costs two-cents to receive and fans may choose how often they want to receive alerts. For fans who want the full benefits of two-way text messaging, packages are available with 100 to 600 messages a month for $2.99 to $6.99.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 34.6 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

About Old Dominion University's Sports Program

Old Dominion University is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association and fields 16 men's and women's intercollegiate teams. For more information on the Monarchs, go to www.odusports.com, or contact the ODU sports information office at 757-683-3359